Jennifer

JENNIFER HUDSON

– Biography –

A Grammy Award-winning recording artist, Academy Award-winning actress and best-selling author, Jennifer Hudson is an extraordinary talent. From humble beginnings, Hudson began singing in a small Chicago church where, week after week, she brought the congregation to its feet. From there, she’s gone on to worldwide acclaim.

Hudson most recently released the newest single from her upcoming Sony/RCA album, “JHUD,” scheduled for release September 23, 2014. The song, “Dangerous,” is a bass-thumping track written and produced by the acclaimed 1985/OVO. Just prior, Jennifer released another heavy hitting track, “It’s Your World,” featuring R. Kelly, who also produced the Studio 54-inspired dance track. Hudson also introduced her fans to “Walk It Out,” a track produced by and featuring Timbaland. Hudson also released the critically acclaimed single “I Can’t Describe (The Way I Feel),” produced by Pharrell Williams and featuring T.I.. The unreleased album has been garnering serious attention with the release of fresh tracks that show off a new sound, a thoughtful departure and a fearless rendering of her work produced by artists like Pharrell, Gorgon City, Timbaland, R. Kelly and others.

2013 was an exciting year for Hudson’s music career, most notably, receiving her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was also honored with the privilege to perform the Presidential Inauguration, Super Bowl XLVII and the Academy Awards. In addition, Hudson was also honored by the Recording Academy at the Annual Grammy’s on the Hill for her philanthropic efforts, specifically with her organization, the Julian D. King Gift Foundation. The same year, Hudson was honored at VH1’s Do Something Awards for her charitable work and also at Variety’s Power of Women luncheon with the Samsung Galaxy Impact Award.

Hudson has also made quite an impact in the world of music with the successful release of both of her Sony/Arista Records albums. Her sophomore album, “I Remember Me,” was introduced on March 22, 2011 to rave reviews. The album debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top 200 and R&B Albums charts and has since been certified RIAA Gold in the U.S. She went on to receive a 2012 Billboard Music Award nomination for Top R&B Album as well as taking home two 2012 NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Music Video and Outstanding Album. Additional recent collaborations include “Think Like A Man” with Ne-Yo and Rick Ross for the title track of the film and critically acclaimed single “Night Of Your Life” with David Guetta for his most recent hit-album “Nothing But The Beat.”

Hudson’s 2008 debut self-titled record won a Grammy Award for “Best R & B Album,” which was presented by one of Hudson’s idols, Whitney Houston. She also received three additional nominations including “Best Female R&B Vocal Performance,” “Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals” and “Best R&B Song.” The album then went on to win three awards at the 2009 NAACP Image Awards including “Best Album.” The RIAA Gold Certified album entered Billboard’s Top 200 at No. 2 and marked the biggest first week sales for an R&B female entry since 2004 and has since sold over 1.1 million albums worldwide to date.

This past spring, Hudson was seen in “Lullaby,” a film by director Andrew Levitas. In November 2013, Hudson also appeared in her first movie musical since “Dreamgirls,” in “Black Nativity.” Just prior, Hudson was seen in “The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete.” In September of the same year, Hudson starred alongside Terrence Howard in Darrell Roodt’s “Winnie Mandela.” The role recently garnered Hudson an NAACP Image Award nomination for “Best Actress”.
Expanding her talents in the arts, Hudson added author to her list of accomplishments in January 2012 with the release her New York Times best-selling memoir, “I Got This: How I Changed My Ways, Found Myself and Lost Everything that Weighed Me Down”.

In 2007, Hudson won an Academy Award for her role as “Effie” in the smash hit “Dreamgirls,” an adaptation of the Broadway musical. Her breakout film performance also garnered a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a BAFTA and an NAACP Image Award. Additional credits include being honored by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the National Board of Review and being named “Entertainer of the Year” at the Soul Train Awards.

Hudson also received an NAACP Image Award nomination in 2009 for her role in Fox Searchlight’s “The Secret Life of Bees.” Prior to “Bees,” Hudson co-starred in the box office hit “Sex and the City: The Movie.”

In 2009, Jennifer, along with her sister Julia, founded The Julian D. King Gift Foundation, as a catalyst for change in children’s health, education and welfare. The Foundation exists to provide stability, support and positive experiences for children of all backgrounds so that they will become productive, confident and happy adults.